South West Illinois News

Chester Community Unit School District 139 Board met July 19.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

The Board of Education of Chester Community Unit School District No. 139 met in the Chester Community Grade School Conference Room on July 19, 2018. Secretary Caraway called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Dan Colvis, Trent Vasquez, Chuck Fricke, Debi Caraway. Members absent: Tom Welge, Jamie Eggemeyer, Mitch Hammel.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Fricke to amend the agenda to include Luke Stegmann under Resignation of Personnel. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

The Board received a monthly grade school maintenance report from Tim Paulus:

- Cleaning is going well.

- Finished painting the classrooms of Mrs. Colvis and Mrs. Miller and only have one wall left to paint in Mrs. Howie’s room.

- The remainder of the ventilators will be cleaned once the painting is finished.

- The key fob motor on the front entrance is worn out. It is still under warranty and I will replace it as soon as it arrives.

- We will be refinishing the gym floor 2 weeks before school starts, at that time no one will be allowed in the gym until school starts so it can cure.

- Mowing has been hectic, but I have kept up with it.

- We have yet to receive our inspection report from the fire marshal/ROE listing corrections we would need to make, if any.

- The Board received a list of Mr. Paulus’s personal tools that he frequently uses at school. Mr. Pasero has instructed Mr. Paulus to complete a purchase order for the tools and forward to his office for processing.

The Board received a monthly high school maintenance report from Brian McMath:

- The new A/C unit for the science labs went out on Monday, July 9. The serviceman had to change out the compressor. The unit is barely two years old.

- The football field is coming around a little better since we have had some hotter weather, but the middle still has no Bermuda grass on it.

- With the help of Tim Paulus, we have both of the gym floors refinished.

- Summer cleaning is going well and we should finish on time.

- The home economics kitchen renovation is moving along slowly but it will be done before school begins.

David Kaiser presented the following grade school athletic report to the Board:

- Preparing for the upcoming school year.

- Baseball and softball will have tryouts towards the end of July. They will begin games mid-August.

- Cross country will start as soon as school begins.

The Board received a monthly high school athletic report from Jeremy Blechle:

- Chester Clinic is once again providing free sports physicals for our athletes on July 21. We are expecting a large turnout this year.

- Volleyball is holding summer workouts through July. They have competed in various summer scrimmages with other schools.

- Boys’ basketball has completed most of their summer workouts which included a kid’s camp.

- Girls’ basketball is still holding summer workouts through July. They just finished holding a team camp.

- The football team is conducting summer workouts as well. They have had a CHS alum come in and talk

about being successful with both academics and athletics.

- Cheer and dance are also holding summer workouts.

- The contact list for all current coaches has been updated for the purpose of being distributed to secretaries, staff and media outlets.

- Mr. Fricke commented with the first reading of the Extracurricular Code of Conduct being held this evening, he would like to hold discussion to clarify some concerns or questions he had. Areas mentioned included the dual sports policy, board involvement with the Extracurricular Disciplinary Committee, and the counseling program the school has that an athlete could choose to attend if suspended due to tobacco/alcohol.

Mr. Lochhead presented the grade school principal’s report:

- The CHS volleyball team recently held their camp at the grade school.

- Police training was held in the building on June 15 &16.

- On June 18 and 19 a basketball camp was held.

- Interviews were held on July 5th and July 13th

- Police Chief Coffey will be holding an active shooter training on September 11.

- Memorial Hospital will hold a presentation -“Hidden in Plain Sight”, an awareness of the signs of drugs.

- School theme: TEAM, “Together Everyone Achieves More”

- Due to complications with the fitness trail, additional playground equipment has been purchased with pre-k funds.

- Environmental Consultants will be conducting an air quality review on July 25.

- New teacher orientation will be held July 23.

- July 30, July 31 and August 1 is registration.

- Mr. Colvis commented that the hillside by the pavilion is somewhat of an eyesore and suggested planting zoysia grass on that area.

- Mr. Lochhead apprised the board the dead tree in front of the school will be replaced as soon as the weather cools off, it is too hot at this time.

Mrs. Meyer, High School Principal, reported the following to the Board of Education:

- The building is looking great. The staff has been working hard to have everything up and running for the next school year. Teachers are working with the room changes we decided to make this summer and my office has been painted a soothing gray color.

- We are saying goodbye to Kirk Danbury who has resigned. He has done a great job for us and will be dearly missed.

- Interviews for the 3 hour cafeteria position and two evening custodial positions have been held.

- Skyward rollover is completed.

- Mr. Guebert is finalizing schedules that are not complete.

- Registration will be July 30 from 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and July 31 and August 1 from 1:00-7:00 p.m. Online registration is ready and live for parents to complete.

- Freshman Academy is scheduled for August 2 from 9:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m.

- New teacher orientation will be held on August 2.

- Flowerbeds have been weeded and mulched, Nairobi placed in the planter box, and knockout roses will soon be planted in front of the school.

Superintendent Pasero reported the following to the Board of Education:

- ISBE identifications for Chester CUSD 139 coming out soon, implementing ESSA designations.

- School-wide Title Plan for grade school.

- We will be purchasing and installing playground equipment from our additional pre-k funds for FY18 and Mr. Pasero would like to use approximately $1,000 paid from sales tax money to help cover costs of installation.

- Preventative Initiative Program - We are hearing from ISBE that the state is going to fund districts that scored at least a 60 and our score was a 62. We have yet to hear an amount and this notification could still be a couple weeks away.

- Professor James Franklin Sharp has made a generous offer for a substantial donation endowment allocated to provide perpetual annual grants for Chester High School teaching activities and perpetual annual grants for the three Chester High School Sharp Scholarships. Professor Sharp is hoping the large lobby entrance and cafeteria could be officially named the Chester High School “Professor Sharp Cafeteria and Entrance Lobby.”

- A member of Daniel Colbert’s family had contacted Mr. Pasero inquiring about placing an informational plaque inside Colbert gym.

- Mr. Pasero is recommending the purchase of 15 smartboards ($22,343.50) and 11 projectors ($5,800.00) this evening to replace older equipment in the district.

- Mr. Pasero received a wireless controls proposal of $7,973 from Brown Electric for replacing the system on the flashing speed zone sign at the grade school. This purchase can be paid from sales tax monies. The board suggested Mr. Pasero contact IDOT to ensure the district is solely responsible for all costs incurred.

- The Annual Board Representative meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on September 12, directly following the 6:00 meeting of the Perandoe Board. As in the past, Mr. Welge was nominated to represent the Board and Mr. Fricke alternate.

- Mr. Pasero briefed the members of policy updates the board will be conducting their first reading on this evening, highlighting the most notable changes.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the consent agenda and items as listed. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried

- Minutes of the June 21, 2018, amended budget hearing, regular meeting, and executive session

- Bills in the amount of $349,316.52 and payroll in the amount of $365,514.88.

- Financial reports for the month of June 2018.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Fricke to enter into executive session at 7:42 p.m. for the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body and for collective negotiating matters between the public body and its employees. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Colvis to return to open session at 8:34 p.m. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the first reading of PRESS Policy 97 and PRESS Policy 98. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the first reading of the 2018-19 Code of Conduct. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

After conducting the second reading, motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the 2018-19 High School Student/Parent Handbook as presented. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Mr. Fricke commented on the eligibility requirements, citing concerns about students transferring from either of the parochial schools in Chester to Chester Grade School having to wait a period of time, 45 attendance days, which was different than the wait time for students that transfer from one parochial school to another, 21 calendar days. Mr. Fricke also noted his concern about a potential lawsuit from any parent of a transfer, citing a fourteenth amendment violation. Mr. Pasero noted that allowing a transfer student in this situation to play prior to completing the 45 attendance day wait period, put in place by the SIJHSAA would be a violation of their rule and would result in probable suspension in playoff series for baseball and possibly all of our other teams, in addition to players themselves being ineligible for future seasons. Mr. Kaiser and Mr. Lochhead recommended following the SIJHSAA process for requesting a rule change. This process would include a presentation to a steering committee, meeting in October, which would consider and then make recommendations to the voting members of the association. Mr. Fricke also noted that the SIJHSAA president has the ability to decide on individual appeals to this rule. The Board decided to table the decision until the next meeting.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Colvis to accept the semi-annual review of closed meeting minutes and determined that all minutes will remain closed to the public. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve technology equipment as submitted as surplus inventory. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to accept the following bids from Moore Foods Inc., Chester Dairy, and Midland Paper as submitted for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion.

Moore Foods - Bread Products

51% Whole Wheat Hamburger 1.29 per 8 ct. pkg

Buns 51% Whole Wheat Hot Dog Buns 1.30 per 8 ct. pkg

Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread 1.82 per loaf

Chester Dairy - Dairy Products

2% White, gallon 3.35

1% White, 1⁄2 pt. 0.25

1% White, gallon 3.30

Skim Chocolate 1⁄2 pt. 0.25

Skim Chocolate, gallon 3.70

Skim Strawberry, 1⁄2 pt. 0.25

Orange Juice, 1⁄2 pt. 0.26

Sour Cream, 5# 8.50

(Escalator / De-escalator bid)

Midland Paper - Copy Paper

$27.225 per 10 ream case

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Fricke to accept the wireless controls proposal from Brown Electric to replace the system of the flashing speed zone sign at the grade school in the amount of $7,973.00, but directed Mr. Pasero to contact IDOT confirming the district is solely responsible for upkeep. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the purchase of 15

smartboards in the amount of $22,342.50 and 11 projectors in the amount of $5,800.00 replacing old equipment as recommended by Superintendent Pasero. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to authorize the district bookkeeper to pay utility and miscellaneous bills between board meetings. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the school-wide Title I Plan for the grade school. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Fricke to reinstate transportation services to grade school athletic events for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the agreement with Chester Chrysler Center for a loaned driver’s ed car at the cost of $429.00 per month for maintenance. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Colvis and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to accept the request of Sonya Wingerter allowing her to rescind her intent to retire from her position as a paraprofessional at the conclusion of the 2018-19 school year, noting that Ms. Wingerter had not yet begun receiving any retirement incentive. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to accept resignation requests from the following personnel, coaches, and volunteers. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Connie Clendenin as Grade School Social Science Teacher

Kirk Danbury as High School Evening Custodian

Angela Luthy as Grade School Paraprofessional

Michael Heffernan as High School Football Coach

Curt Gilpin as High School Head Cross Country Coach and Girls’ Assistant Track Coach

Jenny Cartwright as High School Volunteer Assistant Cross Country Coach

Chase Rednour as High School Volunteer Assistant Boys’ Basketball Coach

Luke Stegmann as High School Science Teacher

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Colvis to approve the following paid coaches and volunteers as recommended for the 2018-19 school year. Upon roll call Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Paid Coaches

Sarah Norman.HS Head Volleyball Coach

Sophia Stellhorn.HS Assistant Volleyball Coach

Boyd Miles.GS Head Baseball Coach

Joe Kassebaum.GS Head Softball Coach

Jenny Cartwright.GS Head Cross Country Coach

Volunteer

Dwight Lochhead.HS Cheerleading

Haley Williams.HS Dance

Riley Welborn.HS Boys’ Basketball

Mike Miller.HS Trap Shooting

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve the employment of the following personnel for the 2018-19 school year as recommended by administration, noting their seniority to be equal. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Jacob Cowan.HS Social Science Teacher

Joe Kassebaum.JH Social Science Teacher

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to ratify and approve the 2018-19 bargaining agreement between the Chester Education Association and the Board of Education. The salary schedule will be adjusted from the 2017-18 salary schedule by addition of 1% to the Step 0 Row, BS Column. Teachers employed at Chester Community Unit District during the 2017-18 school year will advance one step from their 2017-18 placement. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis abstained, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 3 yea, 0 nay, 1 abstain, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Fricke and seconded by Mr. Vasquez to approve a salary increase of 3.75% for non- certified personnel for the 2018-19 school year, this would include an increase to the beginning hourly rate of all non-certified positions. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Fricke to approve a 2.75% salary increase for High School Principal Missy Meyer, High School Assistant Principal Jeremy Blechle, and Grade School Assistant Principal David Kaiser for the 2018-19 school year in accordance to their administrative contracts to an amount equal to the average percentage increase the Board provides to certified teachers during the same school term respectfully, if any. Upon roll call Mr. Colvis voted yea, Mr. Vasquez voted yea, Mr. Fricke voted yea, Mrs. Caraway voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

Salary discussions were tabled for Superintendent Brian Pasero to a later meeting of the full board of education.

Motion was made by Mr. Vasquez and seconded by Mr. Fricke to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m. Upon roll call all members voted yea. 4 yea, 0 nay, 3 absent; motion carried.

The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, August 16, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chester Community Grade School Conference Room, 650 Opdyke Street, Chester, IL 62233.

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